Resist 'fear of others', pope says in strife-torn Central African Republic

Pope Francis meets internally displaced people on the grounds of the Saint Sauveur church during his visit, in the capital Bangui, Central African Republic, November 29, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

Pope Francis on Sunday called for unity in the strife-torn Central African Republic, urging people not to give in to the "fear of others" in a country plagued by sectarian violence.

In an address at the presidential palace shortly after landing in the capital Bangui, the 78-year-old pontiff called for unity and to avoid "the temptation of fear of others, of the unfamiliar, of what is not part of our ethnic group, our political views or our religious confession."